Why your doctor doesn’t hear you...
Jersey City
July 11, 2025
Hi there!
A friend called to tell me about her latest Ob-Gyn visit. It wasn’t great. She’d been having symptoms and wanted to know if she was in perimenopause and what she should do. Her doctor didn’t answer her questions and was very dismissive. Why? Unfortunately, this behavior is common. There’s a reason for it. Let me explain.
Menopause was on the map and then it wasn’t. Before 2002, menopause wasn’t “a thing” the way it is now, but menopause was recognized in medical schools and doctors were prescribing treatment for symptoms and having discussions with their patients about menopause.
In 1991 there was a massive study called the Women’s Health Initiative. It studied the risks and benefits of combined estrogen and progesterone in menopausal women. The trial was abruptly stopped in 2002. It seemed that there was an increase in breast cancer, stroke and heart attack in women taking HRT.
Unfortunately, the study was flawed which skewed the outcome. As a result, women were no longer prescribed HRT even if they needed it. And medical schools stop teaching about menopause!
If your doctor isn’t answering your questions, is being dismissive or is ghosting you, it is probably because they don’t have answers, have outdated information and were never taught about menopause in medical school.
What can you do if you are not getting the information or care that you need? Find another doctor!
Look for a menopause certified Ob-Gyn. These are doctors who have had extensive additional training in menopause and who have taken a rigorous test to become certified.
Every woman will experience menopause differently and needs a doctor who is attentive to the nuances of this stage of her life.
If you are looking for a menopause certified doctor, ask for a recommendation from people you know and trust. I also highly recommend checking The North American Menopause Society which has a listing of menopause certified doctors. You can search by zip code. They also have lots of information about menopause.
You are important. Your health is important. Get the care and the answers you deserve. If you have questions or need recommendations, let me know.
Be well,
Laura
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And more...
· My M&M Package is now available. It’s a combination of massage and coaching. If you’ve been thinking about working with me, this is the perfect way to get started. You’ll get an hour massage which regulates your nervous system and 40 minutes of menopause coaching.
· We had a lively discussion at Menopause Meet Up this week. Erin Kumpf explained the benefits of acupuncture and how it works. Our next meeting is August 12th and I will be talking about menopause symptoms and solutions and answering questions. Mark your calendar!